Project "My Happy Mess"

[litew8]

Thanks all Garage is working out nice. Here are some quick pics. Nothing too telling. Worked on cleaning the aluminum wheels some today also.







The plan is to start tackling the doors and jambs next week. Since it's two tone (med. bronze / white) - any tips on how we should go about painting (order etc)? Thanks

[Low Elco]

I'd shoot the white center in base, then mask that off, scuff the overspray and shoot the brown. Are you gonna have trim?

[litew8]

Thanks man! Yes to the trim. It's banged up, but original and ok. Can't see me spending hundreds more on new.

[chevynova22602]

Hey litew8 you know they could have made your truck at the end of 71 as they was getting ready for the 72 models cause the 72 has so many other options they used all the left over inventory parts on 71 models
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[litew8]

chevynova, not sure what you're implying. Mine is a Custom Deluxe. The difference to 72' is where you see changes. Not sure they can be considered improvements over the 71's.

"Several changes occurred in 1971. First came another new grille design (the "egg crate") for Chevrolet trucks. Second, an additional trim package was introduced: the Cheyenne. These packages consisted mostly of comfort features — nicer interiors, more padding and insulation, carpet, chrome trim, and upper and lower side molding and tailgate trim. 1971 was the first year for AM/FM radios factory installed. Finally, the front brakes on all light-duty trucks were switched from drum brakes to disc brakes, resulting in much less brake fade under heavy use. While many prior C/K half-ton trucks had used a six-lug bolt pattern (6 x 5.5") for the wheels, two-wheel-drive models switched to a five-lug pattern (5 x 5" bolt circle) common to Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Cadillac passenger cars.

The 1972 models were virtually identical to 1971 models, with the only change being the rear view mirror was glued to the windshield instead of being bolted to top of the cab, and metal or vinyl-covered flat door panels were no longer available; all trim level door panels were molded plastic with integral armrests and wood grain inserts on Cheyenne and Sierra trim levels. For restoration, it should also be noted that the door and window cranks were slightly longer due to the molded plastic door panels, and the vent windows were now secured with a single screw on the inside of the door, thus differentiating it from the 1971 model year."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_C/K

[chevynova22602]

Oh my bad man I thought all that came only in 72 sorry
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[litew8]

Ah, aint no big deal. Not sure why they made those small changes, esp. since it [style] was the last year produced.

[chevynova22602]

Lol yeah your truck was the last year for all metal chevy trucks
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[litew8]

Got some pics of the doors 1/2 painted but can't post tonight.

[Low Elco]

The screw is to help keep the inner and outer door shells together. If you look down by the vent, there's like a 1/2" wide little strap doing that job. It work hardens and cracks pretty quickly, then the doors open up at the top, and the window scrapers no workie. Screw is reinforcement/kinda adjustment.

Parts look great, congrats on slingin' a little base! Always a good feeling.

[litew8]

Edging pics. He shot white on the backside by the seam bends but I don't have pics of it.








A picture of my engine in the sun for the first time.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice! I like the contrast of the silver against the medium bronze. Plus, that silver carbon fibre air cleaner lid is the bomb.

[oldman3]

Very nice...Jim

[litew8]

Thanks! The carbon fiber lid is better than billet.
I've got a few more pics of the doors cleared (above pics aren't cleared), I'll post later tonight.

[litew8]

pictures

[oldman3]

Looking good...Jim

[Evaded]

Ok... read it all just now.

informative..captivating...exciting...some Jerkoff in the middle...amazing work so far.

Love This Thread.

[67cheby]

man that color really pops !

[litew8]

Thanks! Yeah, stress levels were higher towards the middle of the build, that plus exhaustion didn't help either. The sun light really helps to bring the color to life. He just finished the (inner?) door jambs and shot white on some of the cab. Pictures tonight. Got to run, removing masking.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice! Is that a garden spider trying to find a new home?

[litew8]

The spider probably didn't care too much for the painting.

Doors outside baking in the sun.













The white (linen white) seems too bright for my camera.
There were two different color codes for white when cross-referenced.
One was supposed to be closer to GM white of the 70's, but we think
that is the color they used to repaint the original passenger door back in
the 90's - it turned a yellowish color over time, so we decided to
go with the other.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice! With this pace, you could make Good Guys.

[litew8]

Don't hold your breath.
My aluminum wheels match my aluminum valve covers.

[Low Elco]

You could make Riverside! Git after it! Frosty Cerveza awaita!

[litew8]

A three hour (one way) road trip @ $3.50 a gallon Lets see what the MPG is first